Jewelry making machine with improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Described herein are jewelry making machines with improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof.

IN THE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/716,873, filed Sep. 14, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally a jewelry making machine having improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry making machines generally possess a cutting tool mounted to a drive motor to make precision cuts on the piece of jewelry. Typically, the piece of jewelry is placed underneath the cutting tool, and with the use of computer numerical control (CNC), a desired design can be cut on the surface of the jewelry. In the case of jewelry that possesses an inner and outer surface such as, for example, a ring, making precision cuts on the outer surface of the ring are possible. However, jewelry making machines currently available do not permit the facile and reproducible cutting of the inner surface of the jewelry. At best, a cutting tool can be positioned at an angle to make cuts on the inner surface of the jewelry; however, the precision of the cuts is not very good or reproducible.

Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for making precision cuts on the interior surface of jewelry that are not possible with current jewelry making machines. The jewelry making machines and methods described herein address such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally described, provided herein are jewelry making machines with improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof.

In one aspect, described herein is a jewelry making machine comprising:

(i) a frame;

(ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame and having a rotating spindle for rotating about a spindle axis of rotation;

(iii) a tool; and

(iv) a tool holder mounted to the machining head for holding the tool in a position displaced from the spindle axis of rotation, the tool holder being driven in rotation from the spindle.

In another aspect, described herein is a jewelry making machine comprising:

(i) a frame;

(ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame and having a rotating spindle for rotating about a spindle axis of rotation;

(iii) a relatively short cutting tool;

(iv) an auxiliary tool holder mounted to the machining head for holding the tool in a position displaced from the spindle axis of rotation; and

(v) a drive mechanism coupled to the rotating spindle and the auxiliary tool holder in such a manner to cause the auxiliary tool holder to be driven in rotation from the spindle,

whereby with the relatively short cutting tool mounted to the auxiliary tool mount, the relatively short cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor.

In another aspect, described herein is a milling machine apparatus of the type used for making jewelry and having a tool mount for supporting and driving a rotating tool about a first axis of rotation, the improvement therein comprising:

(i) an auxiliary tool mount for supporting and driving the rotating tool in a manner displaced from the first axis of rotation; and

(ii) a relatively short cutting tool mounted to the auxiliary tool mount to allow the relatively short cutting tool to be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry.

In a further aspect, described herein are methods for producing jewelry, comprising:

substantially inserting the cutting tool of the machines described herein within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor having an inner surface; and

cutting the inner surface of the jewelry or jewelry precursor.

In another aspect, described herein is a jewelry making machine comprising:

(i) a frame;

(ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame; and

(iii) a relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head;

whereby with the relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head, the relatively short motorized cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry.

The specific techniques and structures employed by the invention to improve over the drawbacks of the prior devices and accomplish the advantages described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of the example embodiments of the invention and the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a jewelry making machine known in the art.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a jewelry making machine known in the art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to an example embodiment of the invention mounted to a sled of a jewelry making machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the parts of a cutting tool described herein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to a first example embodiment of the invention being inserted into a ring prior to cutting the inner surface of the ring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to another example embodiment of the invention mounted to a sled of a jewelry making machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Generally described, provided herein are jewelry making machines with improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof. The jewelry making machines having the cutting tools described herein permit precise, reproducible cuts on jewelry or a jewelry precursor (e.g., a wax substrate) that previous jewelry making machines cannot accomplish. In various aspects, it is desirable to make precision cuts on the interior surface of jewelry or jewelry precursor such as, for example, a ring. The devices and methods described herein permit precision cutting of the interior surface of jewelry or jewelry precursors that is not possible with current jewelry making machines

With reference now to the appended drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the front and side view, respectively, of a typical jewelry making machine (1) known in the art. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a chuck 2 is mounted to a spindle shaft 3, where the chuck 2 typically holds a cutting tool such as, for example, a drill bit. Other tools known in the art besides a cutting tool can be inserted into the chuck 2 depending upon the desired application. The spindle shaft 3 is inserted in quill 4, which insures high concentricity when the spindle shaft 3 is spinning. A drive motor within motor casing 5 spins the spindle shaft 3 within the quill 4. The spindle shaft 3 and quill 4 are mounted to a sled 6. The sled 6 is mounted to a lift 12, where the sled 6 can be raised or lowered. The sled 6 can be raised or lowered, which can be controlled by a computer (not shown) using computer software known in the art (e.g., JewelSmith manufactured by Delcam). The lift 12 is mounted to frame 7. The bottom portion of the frame 7 is mounted to a base 8. Mounted to the base 8 is a movable plate or bed 9, which can move parallel and/or perpendicular to the frame 7. The position of the movable plate or bed 9 relative to the frame 7 can be controlled by a computer using the software described above. Mounted to the movable plate or bed 9 is a rotary chuck 10, which is mounted to the movable plate or bed 9 by a support 11. A number of different fixtures known in the art can be attached to the rotary chuck 10. The jewelry or jewelry precursor to be cut using the device described herein can also be mounted on the rotary chuck 10. The rotary chuck 10 can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise via the support 11 by way of the computer. Other jewelry making machines having similar design specifications can be used herein, including those manufactured by Gem Vision, Model Master, Minitech Machinery Corp., Sherline Products Inc., Intellitech Inc., and MicroKinetics Corp.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a cutting tool mounted to a jewelry making machine. In this aspect, a pulley system is used to rotate a cutting tool 31. Referring to FIG. 3, a tool holder comprising a bracket 36 is secured to the sled 6. The bracket 36 can be configured in a manner to fit the sled 6 of jewelry making machines known in the art. The bracket 36 can be made of one or more materials including, but not limited to, iron, steel, and the like. Part of the bracket includes arm 37. The arm 37 can a separate piece mounted to bracket 36 or, in the alternative, the bracket 36 and the arm 37 can be one piece. A pulley 32 is mounted to the arm 37. In one aspect, the cutting tool 31 can be used to secure the pulley 32 to the arm 37. It is contemplated that other tools known in the art can be attached to the pulley 32.

The position of the pulley 32 and the cutting tool 31 relative to the shank-mounted pulley 33 can vary as needed. In FIG. 3, the pulley 32 is in the same plane as that of the shank-mounted pulley 33; however, it is contemplated that the arm 37 can be angled so that the pulley 32 can be above or below the plane of the shank-mounted pulley 33 as needed. Moreover, the distance (i.e., offset) between the pulley 32 and shank-mounted pulley 33 can vary depending upon the application of the device. In one aspect, a sliding extender can be inserted into the portion of arm 37, where the pulley 32 is mounted to the extender. In one aspect, the extender can be slid into a track present in arm 37. In another aspect, extenders varying in length with the pulley 32 mounted at one end of the extender can be mounted and secured to arm 37 by a pin, screw, clip, or the like. In these aspects, the offset of the pulley 32 can be varied as desired.

Referring to FIG. 3, a shank-mounted pulley 33 is mounted to the chuck 2, and the chuck 2 is mounted to a spindle shaft 3. The shank of the shank-mounted pulley 33 can be designed to fit the chuck of jewelry making machines known in the art. The spindle shaft 3 and the shank-mounted pulley 33 are rotated about spindle axis 35 by way of a drive mechanism. A drive belt 34 is attached to the outer perimeter of the pulley 32 and the shank-mounted pulley 33. The drive belt 34 can be made of any material including, but not limited, to a synthetic or natural polymer. In one aspect, the drive belt 34 is elastic for easy removal or replacement of the belt.

Referring to FIG. 3, upon rotation of the shank-mounted pulley 33 about spindle axis 35, the pulley 32 and the cutting tool 31 are rotated by the drive belt 34. The speed at which the cutting tool 31 is rotated can vary, and will depend upon among other things the drive mechanism present in the jewelry making machine, the diameter of the pulley 32 and the shank-mounted pulley 33, the composition of the cutting tool 31, and the material of the jewelry or jewelry precursor that is to be cut.

It is contemplated that the cutting tools described herein can be part of kit that can be sold separately from the jewelry making machine. Referring to FIG. 4, the cutting tool 40 can be part of a kit including the shank-mounted pulley 33 drive belt 34. Other additional tools can be part of the kit, including additional cutting tools and tools for mounting the shank-mounted pulley 33 to the chuck of the jewelry making device.

The devices described herein permit cutting the inner surface of jewelry or a jewelry precursor that is not possible using jewelry making machines known in the art. The cutting tool used in the devices described herein can be substantially or entirely inserted within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor (e.g., a ring) and cut the inner surface of the jewelry as desired with high precision and reproducibility, which is an important feature in the jewelry industry. Referring to FIG. 5, the cutting tool 31 can be inserted into a ring 50, where the ring is mounted to rotary chuck 10. After a particular cut has been made on the inner surface 51 of the ring, the ring is rotated by the rotary chuck 10, and another cut is made by the cutting tool 31. This process is continued until the desired design has been cut into the inner surface 51 of the ring. Although in this example the inner surface of the ring is cut, other substrates that are jewelry precursors can be cut using the devices and methods described herein. For example, the inner surface of wax rings can be cut and used as templates for making molds used to make the final piece of jewelry.

In another aspect, described herein is a jewelry making machine comprising:

(i) a frame;

(ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame; and

(iii) a relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head;

whereby with the relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head, the relatively short motorized cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry.

Referring to FIG. 6, bracket 60 is mounted to sled 6. The bracket can be mounted to the sled by screws (64 in FIG. 6), pins, bolts, and the like. The bracket can be modified accordingly to attach to the sled of jewelry making machines currently known in the art. Attached to the bracket by a fastener 61 is a cutting tool mount 63. The cutting tool mount 63 can be rotated about the fastener 61 so that it can be perpendicular to the bracket 60 as shown in FIG. 6, parallel to the bracket, or any angle in between. The cutting tool mount 63 can be adjusted to hold any motorized cutting tool. In one aspect, the motorized cutting tool is a dentist's drill, which is depicted as 62 in FIG. 6. Here, the drill bit 65 can be selected depending upon the piece of jewelry to be cut. In this aspect, the motorized cutting tool is not powered by the jewelry making machine but by a separate power source. However, it is contemplated that the cutting tool can b wired to the jewelry making machine. In one aspect, any of the turbine hand pieces manufactured by NSK America (e.g., TI MAX NL 95, TI MAX N 95, NL 85, NL 75, NL 55, N 55, NL-45K, or NL-45) can be used as the motorized cutting tool.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, the term “or” means “and/or,” and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

While the invention has been described with reference to example and alternative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. 

1. A jewelry making machine comprising: (i) a frame; (ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame and having a rotating spindle for rotating about a spindle axis of rotation; (iii) a relatively short cutting tool; (iv) an auxiliary tool holder mounted to the machining head for holding the tool in a position displaced from the spindle axis of rotation; and (v) a drive mechanism coupled to the rotating spindle and the auxiliary tool holder in such a manner to cause the auxiliary tool holder to be driven in rotation from the spindle, whereby with the relatively short cutting tool mounted to the auxiliary tool mount, the relatively short cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry.
 2. A jewelry making machine comprising: (i) a frame; (ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame and having a rotating spindle for rotating about a spindle axis of rotation; (iii) a tool; and (iv) a tool holder mounted to the machining head for holding the tool in a position displaced from the spindle axis of rotation, the tool holder being driven in rotation from the spindle.
 3. A jewelry making machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tool comprises a cutting tool.
 4. A jewelry making machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tool holder is driven by a belt drive.
 5. A jewelry making machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tool holder is offset such that the tool is offset from and parallel to the spindle axis.
 6. A jewelry making machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the machine is used to make rings and the tool is sized and configured to be inserted substantially or entirely within a ring for working the inside of the ring.
 7. A jewelry making machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tool holder comprises a bracket secured to the machining head and a driven pulley mounted to the bracket, with the cutting tool being driven in rotation by the driven pulley.
 8. A jewelry making machine as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a pulley driven by the spindle shaft and driving the driven pulley.
 9. In a milling machine apparatus of the type used for making jewelry and having a tool mount for supporting and driving a rotating tool about a first axis of rotation, the improvement therein comprising: (i) an auxiliary tool mount for supporting and driving the rotating tool in a manner displaced from the first axis of rotation; and (ii) a relatively short cutting tool mounted to the auxiliary tool mount to allow the relatively short cutting tool to be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor.
 10. A method for producing jewelry, comprising (i) substantially inserting the cutting tool of the machine in claim 1 within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor having an inner surface; and (ii) cutting the inner surface of the jewelry or jewelry precursor.
 11. A jewelry making machine comprising: (i) a frame; (ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame; and (iii) a relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head; whereby with the relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head, the relatively short motorized cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry. 